The princess is soft! The sick villain is crazy

Chapter 136 Self-recommendation

Author: Raising cats every year

Chapter 136 Self-recommendation

Candidates with different looks walked out of Chengqian Hall one after another. At first glance, most of them were new faces. Moreover, it was written on the imperial list that this palace examination would last three days, which means that the same scene will be staged in the future.

twice!

Zheng Lian's anger, which he had finally suppressed, surged up again.

"His Majesty!"

He raised his legs and stepped up the steps and walked into Chengqian Hall. Li Mingji glanced at him lightly and did not stop him. However, Zheng Lian's legs were numb from standing still for a long time, and he almost couldn't even stand.

He has lived most of his life, when has he ever been in such a miserable state?

Shu Yao on the side said: "Uncle Zheng, you have to watch the road carefully. If you fall on the steps, wouldn't you blame Chengqian Palace for not welcoming you?"

Speak without restraint!

Zheng Lian was so angry that he almost couldn't breathe.

Princess Huaxi has had no brains since she was a child. She would only cry or ask Emperor Yong to support her when something happened. When did she become smarter and become so eloquent?

The officials who followed him had just accepted the favor of the young princess, and none of them spoke. Many of them went back home directly, citing physical discomfort.

After all, if it wasn't a last resort, they wouldn't want to get involved in this muddy water.

Although many of the candidates were members of the Zheng family or disciples of the Zheng family, they had just witnessed Emperor Yong punishing the Minister of Rites and others. Therefore, although they saw many officials standing outside the Chengqian Hall, they did not dare to ask, for fear that they would do the same.

Something was wrong.

Pan Lingze exposed the imperial examination in one fell swoop, and all the candidates were in danger, but begged Emperor Yong not to find out about him. Although the children of aristocratic families like Cui Yu were relatively calm, they were not as confident as when they criticized the imperial examination rankings before.

Emperor Yong was sitting on the dragon chair, flipping through the test papers he had just collected.

Seeing a group of officials headed by Zheng Lian come in, Emperor Yong showed a surprised expression, but he was not surprised in his heart.

He had long known that these officials were waiting for him outside, but instead of letting them in, he asked Li Mingji to block them outside.

Last night, he ordered Li Mingji to post the imperial notice, and he was prepared to be opposed by these ministers. But he didn't expect them to arrive so quickly. It was only a few hours after dawn, and they hurried into the palace to see him. It was obvious that he could not wait for a moment.

The palace examination has lasted for so long, and they haven't left yet. It seems that they have to pass this test.

Looking at the calm-looking Emperor Yong on the dragon throne, Zheng Lian narrowed his eyes and said, "Your Majesty, I heard that last night you ordered people to post imperial lists everywhere to encourage people to nominate themselves. I think it is inappropriate."

Emperor Yong said calmly: "What's wrong?"

"Nowadays, when ordinary people enter the court and become officials, they all pass the imperial examination. But you let these idle people take the same examination as the civil servants who have studied hard for ten years. Where is the prestige of the imperial examination?"

After standing outside the Chengqian Hall for a whole morning, Zheng Lian's patience had reached its peak and he had written several rounds of manuscripts. Therefore, he talked incessantly without giving Emperor Yong any face. "What else?"

Official, it lasts for three months. Do you know how much can be done in three months? These people are a mixed bag. If political affairs are delayed, how can we save them?"

"Is the imperial examination fair?"

Emperor Yong repeated his words and suddenly laughed.

"Does Zheng Qing know what happened to me during the palace examination just now?"

"Your Majesty, please speak."

"Pan Lingze, the top candidate in this year's provincial examination, plagiarized the test papers of other candidates." Emperor Yong smiled, "He told me that most of the people who participated in the imperial examination had mastered the test questions early, and no matter what ranking they were tested, they were all in

It is planned. However, the Minister of Rites, Shizhong, and Shilang who are responsible for the imperial examinations have acquiesced in this phenomenon, and the Zhiju officials also took the initiative to provide test questions for the candidates."

"Zheng Qing," in the center of the magnificent hall, Emperor Yong's cold and solemn face could be seen clearly, "Can you tell me, is there fairness in the imperial examination?"

Zheng Lian naturally knew these things. The imperial examination had long been controlled by aristocratic families, and even the rankings were under his control. He just didn't expect that Emperor Yong, who had turned a blind eye in the past, would actually tell this matter openly.

come out!

"Your Majesty," Zheng Lian looked at Emperor Yong, but his eyes were cold, "Taizu once reached an agreement with the families of the five surnames. Eighty percent of the officials in the court are descendants of the five surnames. Do you want to break this rule?"

Emperor Yong asked him bluntly, but Zheng Lian did not save face for Emperor Yong and directly provoked the conflict.

He had assisted Emperor Yong for many years and watched him grow from a handsome young man to an emperor, and then to what he is now.

"Today is different from the past," Emperor Yong's voice was calm, and he did not seem to be shocked by Zheng Lian's eyes. "Zheng Qing, this person has passed away, and I am the emperor now."

…

Emperor Yong opened the palace gates and encouraged people and officials to nominate themselves. On the first day when the imperial list was posted, only a dozen or twenty people entered the palace, but on the second and third days, more and more people came to recommend themselves.

, has exceeded a hundred people.

Li Mingji has been on duty at the Chengqian Hall these days, and Shu Yao also parked his carriage outside the Chengqian Hall and watched these people coming in and out.

That day Zheng Lian went to the palace to ask for an audience. He went in angrily and came out angrily. Shu Yao didn't know what he talked about with his uncle, but Zheng Lian suddenly complained of illness and didn't bother his uncle. Could it be that he had compromised?

Thinking of the dreams she had had, Shu Yao frowned, feeling a little worried.

However, in the dream, the first ones to flee were the aristocratic families. The rebels should have come from outside the capital. They were not instigated by these people, right?

Thinking too much and worrying that her uncle was overworked, Shu Yao patted her forehead and couldn't help but yawn, but she saw a familiar shadow among the new batch of people entering the hall to take the exam.

——Isn’t that Xie Yanzhou?!

Shu Yao's eyes widened, what was he doing here?

Emperor Yong divided this palace examination into a civil examination and a military examination. The previous two days were civil examinations, and today it is a military examination. The examination center was set up at the school grounds. A group of outstanding Forbidden Army soldiers were waiting at the school grounds early to prepare for the assessment of this batch of candidates.

candidates.

Emperor Yong was a little surprised when he saw Xie Yanzhou on the list. However, since the assessment was based on talent regardless of origin, Xie Yanzhou's status as the legitimate son of the Xie family had nothing to show for it, and he was just an ordinary candidate.

The candidates followed Emperor Yong into the school grounds and were assessed on riding, shooting, fighting and other subjects according to the self-recommendations. Shu Yao also sat on the stage and watched Xie Yanzhou put on a smart outfit, as if he was taking the exam.

Seeing him rolling up his sleeves and showing a serious attitude, Shu Yao was even more confused.

Forget it, no matter what he thinks, it has nothing to do with her anyway.

"Next, Xie Yanzhou."

The palace attendant next to him read Xie Yanzhou's name. Xie Yanzhou walked out of the team, raised his chin, and looked straight at Li Mingji, who was standing outside the court.

He stretched out his hand and pointed in the direction of Li Mingji, "Your Majesty, the common people want to compete with him."

Sorry, I am really busy during the finals week, so I will try my best to maintain daily updates. It is expected to resume normal updates on Thursday and Friday!

(End of chapter)